cyber security certifications in Malaysia.

1. Strikes by Ransomware on Educational Institutions have Increased The education sector is not exempt from cyberattacks, nor is it any other business or sector. Unfortunately, ransomware is a particular form of cyber- attack that is affecting an increasing number of educational organizations and school districts. If we are talking about the cyber-attacks in Malaysia so, this country also experienced numerous cyberattacks just in the past year. These include a payment gateway data breach and the theft of 22.5 million people's personal information from a national registry. As we know Malaysia is not highly educated people as cyber security experts but after the repetition of attacks activities government prepares cyber security professionals after completing the concerned cyber security certifications in Malaysia. This ransomware is described as "a form of malware intended to encrypt files on a device, making any files and the systems that depend on them unusable" by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Then, malicious players demand a ransom in return for the decryption. Ransomware, one of the biggest cybersecurity threats, harms a school's image as well as its financial standing. According to Forbes, a ransomware assault

2. typically costs $112,000 in ransom payments and an astounding $2.7 million for the attack's overall cost. Additionally, the recovery period following a ransomware attack can frequently last days, weeks, or even months. Recent Ransomware Strikes in the Education Sector Attackers using modern ransomware target K–12 institutions as well as educational initiatives, in addition to colleges and universities. Schools in Michigan's Jackson County and Hillsdale County were shut down for several days in November 2022 as a result of a ransomware assault. The Little Rock, Arkansas school district allegedly chose to pay the $250,000 ransom demanded by hackers in December 2022 to put an end to the district's attack. According to a Comparitech map of ransomware attacks on American higher education institutions from 2018 to mid-May 2022, "954 separate schools and colleges were possibly affected," with the total estimated cost of the attacks being around $3.56 billion. Even Lincoln College's closure in 2021—the institution had been open since 1865—was brought on by a ransomware assault. Other organizations that were subjected to major ransomware attacks in 2022 include Midland University, Ohlone Community College, and North Carolina AT&T State University. Reasons for the Increase in Ransomware Attacks on the Education Industry Due to COVID-19, remote and hybrid learning became more prevalent, which increased total cyber threats. While ransomware incidents impact all types of businesses and organizations, school districts and higher education institutions are increasingly being targeted. This is especially concerning because it has an impact on students and young adults who are just starting their jobs. Additionally, the highly vulnerable group of teachers, students, and children whose private data is at risk.

3. In contrast to financial institutions or bigger businesses, school districts do not have "the sophisticated defenses and resources," which is one of the main causes, according to a Verizon report. "Older IT systems found in schools are more prone to infiltration. Employees are more susceptible to phishing emails because of the restricted time they have for training. Additionally, hundreds of kids there use laptops. In addition, educational organizations like schools and universities hold a variety of crucial personal data, including names, contact details, Social Security numbers, and financial records. The report continues, "Schools typically have few choices for data recovery when they are attacked, making them more likely to give in to a ransom demand. Additionally, they are under political pressure to act swiftly to address the issue and have a pressing need to continue being open. Afresh Challenge to Action How Organizations & Schools Can Protect Themselves On a national scale in the U.S., the Department of Education works with government organizations like the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to coordinate cybersecurity initiatives and

4. related advice for K–12 schools. However, the state or local school system is largely responsible for education and training. The following are some fundamental hygiene precautions that educational organizations can take to prevent ransomware attacks: •Restrict your use of services that are accessible via the Internet. •Ensure special access is protected. •Train pupils and staff in cybersecurity in a professional manner. •Update software and internet-connected gadgets. •Put multi-factor security into practice Some universities, colleges, and even bigger school districts are employing cybersecurity experts who can help them improve their cybersecurity maturity and aid in preventing these kinds of attacks. For instance, a recent LinkedIn search turned up more than 2,000 job listings in higher education linked to cybersecurity. Schools frequently choose remote and adaptable arrangements like those provided by Cyber Management Alliance's Virtual Cyber Assistant service if there isn't funding for a full-time cybersecurity specialist. Additional Suggestions for Institutions, Colleges, and Universities are Provided below: Make an attempt to give cybersecurity education and prevention funding and priority (personnel, training, etc.) Invest in cyber-insurance backup critical information Install an antivirus or spyware protection software Put virtual private networks into practice Updating all programming and running systems is a good idea. Adopt the philosophy of "being proactive, not reactionary." Make a policy for the retention of student records.

5. Conclusion Cyberattacks are more frequent in education, and they can have serious, negative consequences. The good news is that more and more schools, colleges, and university departments are realizing the importance of hacking training and education. Implementing best practices, prioritizing cybersecurity training and awareness, prioritizing hiring the right personnel, and prioritizing cybersecurity awareness are all straightforward but crucial steps that will help keep education data and personal information private. Read also: Cyber security training online course